How To Style Your Own Hair At Home

How To Always Look Like You've Just Left The Barbershop

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In an ideal world, every day would start with a steaming cup of coffee, egg whites and bacon and my barber waiting in the living room, ready to snip any loose hairs before I hit the door. The relationship between a man and his barber is sacred, especially for a man that’s between in committed to a singular styling relationship for years. Even when you go a few weeks without seeing each other, visiting someone else’s blade somehow feels like a weird form of adultery.

Some guys totally surrender their hair to the barber, refusing to even touch it themselves. But that’s the wrong tact. Touching yourself up not only keeps you from looking like Tom Hanks in Castaway in between visits, it also makes things easier on your barber. Rob McMillen, head barber at Blind Barber, a famous chop shop in New York City, gave us a few tricks to help you keep your edge from home all week long.

Drop The Scissors

Most importantly, know what not to do, unless you want to upset your barber. “Keep the shears in the junk drawers, leave that to the professionals.”

Get The Right Gear

“Every guy should have a great trimmer handy for touch ups,” says McMillen. Cut down on the drawer clogging for opting for a high quality all-in-one machine. “I like a more versatile tool like the Wahl Lithium Ion Pro, which is not only functional but easy to use.” Though there should be a comb included with your package, why not upgrade the kit with a more stylish one of the stylish one.

Maintain The Line

“The neckline is always been one of the most difficult elements of cutting your own hair,” says McMillen. If you can’t convince your significant other or roommate into helping out, get your trusty trimmer and make sure you have a good mirror to work with. Take your non-dominant hand and place it horizontally over your natural hairline, you should be able to see the line that was left by your barber. You can also use a razor, preferably if you have one with a safety blade. “It may not be perfect but it will help keep you neat between cuts.”

The Details

“It is probably most important to pay close attention to the sideburns and around the ears between cuts,” says McMillen. A quick trim of the eyebrow, utilizing your comb to help prevent any incidents, can also help give you a cleaner look. “Use your trimmer to make sure that everything matches the length of your facial hair or the lack thereof.” If you want to cap it off properly take a soft washcloth, drop some essential oils (like lavender, eucalyptus, and sandalwood from Whole Foods), put it in a mixing bowl, pour some boiling water over it, allow to cool and you’ve got yourself a hot towel to help you feel barbershop fresh.

The Product

McMillen says that depending on what kind of look you’re cultivating, the kind of products you need varies. But the basis of a strong mane is a healthy lifestyle, and for additives, less is always more. “You should consult with your barber or stylist about what products are best for your hair,“ he says. “Stick with something water based, and couple that with just a solid shampoo and conditioner to keep your hair healthy.”

The Right Finish

“Once you get out of the shower let your hair dry about half way, then put a little bit of product in it to make it easier to work with,” says McMillen. Make sure you know the right side to be parting your hair on; your barber should be able to tell using your natural cowlick as a guide. Starting with your hair combed forward, then use the wide teeth to move them to the side. Finish by using the small teeth of the comb, pushing the hair down and away from the part.

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